Germany’s New Consul General Affirms Agenda for Stronger Cooperation with Lagos, Other States in Nigeria.
By Raymond Enoch
Germany’s new Consul General in Lagos, Mr. Daniel Krull, has set out a strategic plans and vision to strengthen bilateral cooperation with Lagos and other states under his jurisdiction in Nigeria, focusing on deeper economic, cultural, and scientific collaboration.
Speaking at a press conference held at the German Consulate in Lagos on Monday, November 3, 2026, Krull emphasized that his mission since assuming office in August 2025 is anchored on expanding people-to-people engagement and improving consular services to meet growing demands.
“Nigeria is Germany’s largest trading partner in West Africa and second largest in sub-Saharan Africa. Lagos remains the heartbeat of this partnership,” Krull stated, underscoring Germany’s confidence in the country’s economic potential.’
Highlighting Germany’s strategic interest in Nigeria’s emerging tech scene, Krull pointed to the technology sector as a future “major pillar of bilateral relations.” He noted that German IT firms are increasingly exploring partnerships with Nigerian startups and innovation hubs, positioning both nations to benefit from shared digital transformation goals.
Cultural exchange, Krull stressed, remains another priority. He announced the visit of a German film industry delegation attending the ongoing African Film Festival in Lagos, organized by SBS Systems for Business Solutions GmbH in collaboration with AHK Nigeria and under the patronage of Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.
“This visit marks an important outreach by German movie companies to Nigeria,” he said, noting that the engagement seeks to foster collaboration between the Nigerian and German film sectors through joint productions and knowledge exchange.
He also spotlighted the ongoing partnership between the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg and young Nigerian filmmakers in Benin City, which produced the film ỌKPẸN-ẸZẸ (By the Riverside) — a creative project supported by the Goethe-Institut Lagos and screened at the Consulate. Krull described such initiatives as “bottom-up momentum” that drives sustainable creative partnerships between both countries.
Beyond cultural diplomacy, Krull reaffirmed Germany’s dedication to academic and scientific collaboration. He cited his recent visit to the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) and the Humboldt Research Hub-Centre for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (HRH-CERID), both supported by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and the Bayer Foundation.
He also mentioned Germany’s €6 million contribution to the Museum of West African Arts in Benin City, which will soon host the Nigeria Imaginaries exhibition previously showcased in Vienna in 2024.
“There is a wide basket of promising areas of cooperation, and I hope to act as a facilitator across sectors,” Krull affirmed.
Addressing consular operations, Krull disclosed that the Lagos Consulate processes over 10,000 visa applications annually. To enhance efficiency, he revealed that plans are underway to double visa counters and engage external service providers for specific visa categories.
“We are working to serve our Nigerian customers better in future,” he said, hinting at upcoming visa reforms aimed at reducing processing times.»
The German Consulate General in Lagos serves as Germany’s principal diplomatic outpost in southern Nigeria, overseeing economic, academic, and cultural relations. Krull’s agenda reflects a renewed German commitment to consolidating its partnership with Lagos — Nigeria’s economic powerhouse — and fostering broader cooperation across multiple sectors.
